Wizard of Oz FAQ – It’s Fabulous!

I just got done perusing through the upcoming new book “The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According to Oz.” It’s wonderful! And it’s not your regular “FAQ.” We think of an FAQ as something like what we see online: A list of questions and answers. Much to my happy surprise, I found that this book is much more than that. It’s full of fun facts, photos, and other great information. It’s all written and presented in a refreshingly new, and insightful, manner.

You should definitely add this to your Ozzy library. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it!

The Wizard of Oz FAQAll That’s Left To Know About Life According to Ozby David J. Hogan

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – From a black-and-white farm in Kansas to the Technicolor yellow brick road, The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According To Oz by David J. Hogan (July 2014, Applause Books, $24.99) is a fact-filled celebration of the beloved 1939 fantasy masterpiece, starring Judy Garland.

Beginning with L. Frank Baum and his Oz novels and continuing through the complete story of the movie’s conception, development, and shoot, Hogan recounts Dorothy and her traveling companions’ path from the printed page to the silver screen. Along the way, he gives special attention to the little-known parade of uncredited directors, casting difficulties, and on-set accidents and gaffes, as well as more than 75 sidebars devoted to key cast members, directors, and other behind-the-scenes personnel.

The Wizard of Oz FAQ is brimming with fascinating and fun facts:

How MGM overworked Judy Garland before, during, and after Oz.

Why director Victor Fleming had his hands full with the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy’s other friends.

What it was about Toto that really bothered Judy.

The physical horrors of filming in Technicolor.

The racial Oz gag that was scripted but never shot.

Why The Wizard of Oz owes a lot to silent-screen star Mary Pickford.

The story of deleted scenes, and a full two weeks of shooting that had to be scrapped.

Why MGM star Mickey Rooney was part of the movie’s traveling publicity blitz.

How the Wicked Witch was literally blown off her broomstick one day.

The place where lions, tigers, and bears really do live together.

The singers you hear but never see.

The day MGM fired Judy Garland.

From the challenge of creating a winged monkey and making it fly (using 1939 technology!) to finding a field of poppies that wouldn’t wilt in the face of theatrical lighting, you’ll find it all in The Wizard of Oz FAQ, if you follow the yellow brick road!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David J. Hogan has written about film since 1973. His first book was published in 1980 and has been followed by several other in the United States and abroad, including two previous books in the Applause Books FAQ series: Three Stooges FAQ and Film Noir FAQ. He has contributed essays to numerous books and is a prolific magazine reviewer. A one-time L.A.-based entertainment journalist, Hogan has worked in on the editorial side of Chicago book publishing for more than 20 years. He lives in Arlington Heights, Ill.